Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A side airbag with interior partitioned into plural chambers. The side
airbag configured in a bag shape by an outer cloth and an inner cloth is
partitioned by partitioning members into a lower chamber (one or more
high pressure chambers) on the high pressure side during inflation and
deployment and a upper chamber (low pressure chamber). The partitioning
members are each configured from a single piece of cloth or from plural
pieces of cloth that have been integrated together in advance. The
partitioning members are each provided with a partitioning wall, a
diffuser and a non-return valve.

Claims:

1. (canceled)

2. A vehicle side airbag device comprising: a side airbag configured in a
bag shape by an outer cloth positioned at a vehicle width direction
outside and an inner cloth positioned at a vehicle width direction
inside, the side airbag comprising one or more high pressure chambers on
a high pressure side during inflation and deployment and a low pressure
chamber that is at lower pressure than the one or more high pressure
chambers during inflation and deployment, the side airbag inflating and
deploying to the side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat when a
side-on collision occurs; an inflator that ejects inflation gas from a
gas ejection section and supplies the gas into the side airbag during a
side-on collision; and a partitioning member that is provided between the
outer cloth and the inner cloth, is configured by a single piece of
cloth, and comprises a partitioning wall that partitions between the one
or more high pressure chambers and the low pressure chamber, a diffuser
that mainly distributes gas ejected from the gas ejection section of the
inflator to the high pressure chamber side and also distributes gas to
the low pressure chamber side, and a non-return valve that permits gas to
flow from the low pressure chamber side to the high pressure chamber side
and restricts gas from flowing in a reverse direction, wherein: the
partitioning wall is positioned at a vehicle seat front side of the
partitioning member and is formed by folding so as to project towards the
low pressure chamber side or towards the high pressure chamber side; the
diffuser is positioned at a seat rear side of the partitioning member and
is formed by folding to project towards the seat front side so as to
extend further to the high pressure chamber side than a height position
of the partitioning wall; and the non-return valve is formed as an
opening section on the high pressure chamber side of the diffuser and
opens and closes according to the flow of gas.

3. The vehicle side airbag device of claim 2, wherein a pair of rear
edges of the diffuser are interposed between a peripheral edge portion of
the outer cloth and a peripheral edge portion of the inner cloth and
stitched.

4. The vehicle side airbag device of claim 2, wherein a rear edge
positioned at the vehicle width direction outside of the diffuser is
stitched to a side portion of the outer cloth, and a rear edge positioned
at the vehicle width direction inside of the diffuser is stitched to a
side portion of the inner cloth.

5. The vehicle side airbag device of claim 2, wherein in the inflated and
deployed state of the side airbag: the one or more high pressure chambers
include a lower chamber aligned with a waist region of the occupant; and
the low pressure chamber is an upper chamber aligned with at least one of
a chest region or a shoulder region of the occupant.

6. The vehicle side airbag device of claim 2, wherein in the inflated and
deployed state of the side airbag: the one or more high pressure chambers
comprise a lower chamber aligned with a waist region of the occupant and
an uppermost chamber aligned with a shoulder region of the occupant; and
the low pressure chamber is an upper chamber positioned between the
uppermost chamber and the lower chamber and is aligned with a chest
region of the occupant.

7. The vehicle side airbag device of claim 2, wherein: an insertion hole
for inserting the inflator inside the side airbag is provided at a
location in the inner cloth overlapping with the diffuser; and the
inflator is inserted into the side airbag through the insertion hole, and
the inflator is fixed to a seatback frame such that the location of the
insertion hole in the inner cloth and the diffuser are nipped between the
inflator and the seatback frame of the vehicle seat seatback.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag device.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In side-on collision airbag devices, structures have been disclosed
wherein the airbag interior is partitioned by a seam into a lower chamber
and an upper chamber, and a gas distributor (diffuser) is provided to a
separated portion between a rear end of the seam and a rear edge of the
airbag (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No.
2004-268682). This gas distributor is configured in a tube shape from
heat-resistant fabric, and is disposed such that its length direction is
aligned with the top-bottom direction. A lower portion of the gas
distributor is configured as a non-return valve so as to prevent gas from
flowing from the bottom chamber towards the top chamber.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0003] However, in the known example above, the gas distributor (diffuser)
is configured as a separate body from the cloth of the airbag,
complicating the configuration and increasing the length of stitching to
manufacture the side airbag. It is therefore considered that there is
room for improvement from the perspectives of simplifying the
configuration and reducing cost.

[0004] In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention
is directed towards achieving a simplified configuration and reduction of
cost in a side airbag with interior partitioned into plural chambers.

Solution to Problem

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle side airbag
device comprising: a side airbag configured in a bag shape by an outer
cloth positioned at a vehicle width direction outside and an inner cloth
positioned at a vehicle width direction inside, the side airbag
comprising one or more high pressure chambers on a high pressure side
during inflation and deployment and a low pressure chamber that is at
lower pressure than the one or more high pressure chambers during
inflation and deployment, the side airbag inflating and deploying to the
side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat when a side-on collision
occurs; an inflator that ejects inflation gas from a gas ejection section
and supplies the gas into the side airbag during a side-on collision; and
a partitioning member that is provided between the outer cloth and the
inner cloth, is configured by a single piece of cloth or by plural pieces
of cloth that have been integrated together in advance, and comprises a
partitioning wall that partitions between the one or more high pressure
chambers and the low pressure chamber, a diffuser that mainly distributes
gas ejected from the gas ejection section of the inflator to the high
pressure chamber side and also distributes gas to the low pressure
chamber side, and a non-return valve that permits gas to flow from the
low pressure chamber side to the high pressure chamber side and restricts
gas from flowing in a reverse direction.

[0006] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the first aspect,
the side airbag configured as a bag shape by the outer cloth and the
inner cloth comprises one or more high pressure chambers on the high
pressure side during inflation and deployment and the low pressure
chamber that is at lower pressure than the one or more high pressure
chambers during inflation and deployment. The one or more high pressure
chamber and the low pressure chamber are partitioned from each other by
the partitioning wall of the partitioning member provided between the
outer cloth and the inner cloth. The partitioning member is configured by
a single piece of cloth or by plural pieces of cloth that have been
integrated together in advance, and includes the partitioning wall, the
diffuser and the non-return valve. A simplified configuration and
reduction of cost can thereby be achieved in a side airbag with interior
partitioned into plural chambers.

[0007] The internal pressure of the one or more high pressure chambers can
also be maintained by the non-return valve. However, since the non-return
valve is provided as a part region of the partitioning member, the cost
required for stitching the side airbag can be reduced in comparison to a
structure in which a non-return valve is separately provided, and a more
compact and lighter package can be achieved for the folded side airbag.

[0008] The inflator is actuated during a side-on collision, and inflation
gas is ejected from the gas ejection section of the inflator. The gas is
distributed to the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber by
the diffuser provided to the partitioning member. The gas attempts to
flow in reverse from the high pressure chamber side to the low pressure
chamber side when ejection of gas from the inflator has ended. However
the non-return valve provided to the partitioning member restricts such a
flow of gas, and the internal pressure of the high pressure chamber can
be maintained in a high pressure state over a long duration of time.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side airbag
device according to the first aspect, wherein: the partitioning member is
configured by the single piece of cloth; the partitioning wall is
positioned at a vehicle seat front side of the partitioning member and is
formed by folding so as to project towards the low pressure chamber side
or towards the high pressure chamber side; the diffuser is positioned at
a seat rear side of the partitioning member and is formed by folding to
project towards the seat front side so as to extend further to the high
pressure chamber side than a height position of the partitioning wall;
and the non-return valve is formed as an opening section on the high
pressure chamber side of the diffuser and opens and closes according to
the flow of gas.

[0010] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the second aspect,
the partitioning wall, the diffuser and the non-return valve of the
partitioning member are configured by folding a single piece of cloth.
The number of stitching locations when manufacturing the side airbag can
accordingly be reduced and the stitching length can be shortened,
enabling the manufacturing cost of the side airbag to be reduced.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side airbag
device according to the second aspect, wherein a pair of rear edges of
the diffuser are interposed between a peripheral edge portion of the
outer cloth and a peripheral edge portion of the inner cloth and
stitched.

[0012] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the third aspect,
the diffuser is configured in a tube shape by merely configuring the
partitioning member with a single piece of cloth. The manufacturing cost
of the side airbag can accordingly be reduced.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side airbag
device according to the second aspect, wherein a rear edge positioned at
the vehicle width direction outside of the diffuser is stitched to a side
portion of the outer cloth, and a rear edge positioned at the vehicle
width direction inside of the diffuser is stitched to a side portion of
the inner cloth.

[0014] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the fourth aspect,
the pair of rear edges of the diffuser is stitched to the side portions
of the outer cloth and the inner cloth. The regions further to the seat
rear side than the side portions of the inner cloth and the outer cloth
accordingly configure part of the diffuser. The overlapping regions of
the diffuser with the outer cloth and the inner cloth can accordingly be
made smaller, enabling the side airbag to be made lighter and the folded
dimension (the package dimension) of the side airbag to be made smaller.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side airbag
device of any one aspect of the first to the fourth aspects, wherein in
the inflated and deployed state of the side airbag: the one or more high
pressure chambers include a lower chamber aligned with a waist region of
the occupant; and the low pressure chamber is an upper chamber aligned
with at least one of a chest region or a shoulder region of the occupant.

[0016] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the fifth aspect, in
the inflated and deployed state of the side airbag, the one or more high
pressure chambers include a lower chamber aligned with the waist region
of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat and the low pressure chamber
is an upper chamber aligned with at least one of the chest region or the
shoulder region of the occupant. The lower chamber accordingly obtains a
higher pressure than the upper chamber during side airbag inflation and
deployment. The waist region of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat
can accordingly be restrained by the relatively high pressure lower
chamber, and at least one of the chest region or the shoulder region of
the occupant can be restrained by the relatively low pressure upper
chamber. However, the internal pressure of the lower chamber can be
maintained for a long duration using the non-return valve, and so the
occupant restraining capability during a side-on collision can be further
raised.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side airbag
device according to any one aspect of the first to the fourth aspects
wherein in the inflated and deployed state of the side airbag: the one or
more high pressure chambers include a lower chamber aligned with a waist
region of the occupant and an uppermost chamber aligned with a shoulder
region of the occupant; and the low pressure chamber is an upper chamber
positioned between the uppermost chamber and the lower chamber and is
aligned with a chest region of the occupant.

[0018] In the vehicle side airbag device according to the sixth aspect, in
the inflated and deployed state of the side airbag, the one or more high
pressure chambers comprise the lower chamber aligned with the waist
region of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat and an uppermost
chamber aligned with the shoulder region of the occupant, and the low
pressure chamber is an upper chamber positioned between the uppermost
chamber and the lower chamber, and is aligned with the chest region of
the occupant. The lower chamber and the uppermost chamber accordingly
obtain a higher pressure than the upper chamber during side airbag
inflation and deployment. The waist region of the occupant seated in the
vehicle seat can accordingly be restrained by the relatively high
pressure lower chamber, and similarly the shoulder region of the occupant
can be restrained by the relatively high pressure uppermost chamber. The
chest region of the occupant can also be restrained by the relatively low
pressure upper chamber. However, the internal pressure of the lower
chamber and the uppermost chamber can be maintained for a long duration
using the non-return valve, and so the occupant restraining capability
during a side-on collision can be further raised.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side
airbag device of any one aspect from the first to the sixth aspects
wherein: an insertion hole for inserting the inflator inside the side
airbag is provided at a location in the inner cloth overlapping with the
diffuser; and the inflator is inserted into the side airbag through the
insertion hole, and the inflator is fixed to a seatback frame such that
the location of the insertion hole in the inner cloth and the diffuser
are nipped between the inflator and the seatback frame of the vehicle
seat seatback.

[0020] In the seventh aspect of the vehicle side airbag device, the
inflator can be inserted inside the side airbag through the insertion
hole in the inner cloth. The insertion hole is provided at a location in
the inner cloth that overlaps with the diffuser. The location of the
insertion hole in the inner cloth is nipped together with the diffuser
between the inflator and the seatback frame. Gas can accordingly be
suppressed from flowing out to outside the side airbag through the
insertion hole during inflator actuation using a simple configuration.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0021] As explained above, according to the vehicle side airbag device of
the first aspect of the present invention, the excellent advantageous
effect is exhibited of achieving a simplified configuration and a
reduction in cost for a side airbag with interior partitioned into plural
chambers.

[0022] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the second aspect of
the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited of
reducing the number of stitching locations when manufacturing the side
airbag and the shortening the stitching length, enabling the
manufacturing cost of the side airbag to be reduced.

[0023] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the third aspect of
the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited of
enabling the manufacturing cost of the side airbag to be reduced.

[0024] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the fourth aspect of
the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited of
making the region where the diffuser overlaps with the outer cloth and
the inner cloth smaller, enabling the side airbag to be made lighter and
the folded dimension (the package dimension) of the side airbag to be
made smaller.

[0025] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the fifth aspect of
the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited of
enabling the waist region of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat to
be restrained by the relatively high pressure lower chamber, and enabling
at least one of the chest region or shoulder region of the occupant to be
restrained by the relatively low pressure upper chamber.

[0026] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the sixth aspect of
the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited of
enabling the waist region of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat to
be restrained by the relatively high pressure lower chamber, enabling the
shoulder region of the occupant to be similarly restrained by the
relatively high pressure uppermost chamber, and enabling the chest region
of the occupant to be restrained by the relatively low pressure upper
chamber.

[0027] According to the vehicle side airbag device of the seventh aspect
of the present invention, the excellent advantageous effect is exhibited
of enabling the flow of gas through the insertion hole to outside the
side airbag during inflator actuation to be suppressed by a simple
configuration.

[0029]FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which a side airbag
has been inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant seated in a
vehicle seat.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a vehicle side airbag device.

[0031]FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on arrows F3-F3 in FIG.
2, illustrating a structure in which the interior of a side airbag is
partitioned by partitioning walls into an uppermost chamber, an upper
chamber and a lower chamber.

[0032]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken on arrows F4-F4 in FIG.
2, illustrating a state in which a non-return valve (a first opening
portion of a diffuser) in a partitioning member has been opened by
pressure of gas ejected from an inflator, and the gas is being supplied
to the lower chamber through the first opening portion and supplied to
the upper chamber through a second opening portion of the diffuser.

[0033]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken on arrows F5-F5 in FIG.
2, illustrating a state in which ejection of gas by the inflator has
ended, and the non-return valve has closed.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a pattern illustrating a single piece of cloth
configuring a partitioning member.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a partitioning member
wherein a partitioning wall, a diffuser and a non-return valve are
integrally formed by folding a single piece of cloth.

[0036]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section of taken on arrows F8-F8 in
FIG. 2, illustrating a structure inside a side airbag at the vicinity of
an inflator.

[0053]FIG. 22 is a schematic enlarged side view illustrating a structure
at the vicinity of a partitioning member in a side airbag.

[0054]FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a partitioning member
configured from two pieces of cloth that have been integrated together in
advance.

[0055]FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-section taken on arrows F24-F24 in
FIG. 22, illustrating a structure in which the interior of a side airbag
has been partitioned by a partitioning wall into an upper chamber and a
lower chamber.

[0056]FIG. 25 is a pattern illustrating a single piece of cloth
configuring a partitioning member according to a modified example.

[0060] Explanation follows regarding exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, with reference to the drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0061] A vehicle side airbag device 10 according to the present exemplary
shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 relates, for example, to a side airbag device
installed in a side portion of a seatback 14 of a vehicle seat 12. The
vehicle side airbag device 10 includes a side airbag 16, an inflator 18,
and partitioning members 21, 22.

[0062] The side airbag 16 is configured in a bag shape with an outer cloth
24 positioned at a vehicle width direction outside and an inner cloth 26
positioned at a vehicle width direction inside. The inner faces of the
outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 may be subjected to coating in
order to raise the airtightness of the side airbag 16.

[0063] The side airbag 16 includes a lower chamber 28 and an uppermost
chamber 34 serving as examples of one or more high pressure chambers
configured on the high pressure side during inflation and deployment, and
an upper chamber 32 serving as an example of a low pressure chamber that
is at a lower pressure than the lower chamber 28 and the uppermost
chamber 34 during inflation and deployment. As shown in FIG. 1, the side
airbag 16 is configured so as to inflate and deploy to the side of an
occupant 36 seated in the vehicle seat 12 during a side-on collision.
More specifically, the side airbag 16 is configured to inflate and deploy
between the occupant 36 and the vehicle side section (not shown in the
drawings) at the side on which the occupant 36 is seated.

[0064] When the side airbag 16 is in an inflated and deployed state the
lower chamber 28 serving as a high pressure chamber is aligned with a
waist region 36W of the occupant 36, and the uppermost chamber 34 that
also serves as a high pressure chamber is aligned with a shoulder region
36S of the occupant 36. The upper chamber 32 serving as a low pressure
chamber is aligned with a chest region 36C of the occupant 36.

[0065] The outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 are formed by folding a
piece of left-right symmetrical cloth (not shown in the drawings) in two
(a ridge fold) towards the seat rear side of the vehicle seat 12 centered
at a position corresponding to a front edge 16F of the side airbag 16.
The side airbag 16 is configured, by stitching together a peripheral edge
portion 24C of the outer cloth 24 and the peripheral edge portion 26C of
the inner cloth 26 (stitched section S3) at locations other than the
front edge 16F.

[0066] Note that there is no limitation to forming the side airbag 16 by
stitching together the peripheral edge portion 24C of the outer cloth 24
and the peripheral edge portion 26C of the inner cloth 26, and the side
airbag 16 may for example be formed by bag weaving.

[0067] The inflator 18 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8
is, for example, a circular cylinder shaped gas generation source that
ejects inflation gas from a gas ejection section 18A during a side-on
collision and supplies the gas to inside the side airbag 16. In the side
airbag 16 inflated and deployed state, the inflator 18 is positioned
inside the side airbag 16 to the seat rear side of the vehicle seat 12,
and more specifically is positioned in the vicinity of a seat rear edge
portion. The gas ejection section 18A that is provided at one end of the
inflator 18 is disposed inside a diffuser 42, described later. The
inflator 18 is disposed such that the gas ejection section 18A faces
towards the lower chamber 28 side.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, an insertion hole 26A for inserting the
inflator 18 into the side airbag 16 is provided in the inner cloth 26 at
a position overlapping with the diffuser 42. The inflator 18 can
accordingly be inserted into the side airbag 16 through the insertion
hole 26A of the inner cloth 26. The inflator 18 is inserted from the
insertion hole 26A into the side airbag 16, and is fixed to the seatback
frame 15 so as to nip the location of the insertion hole 26A of the inner
cloth 26 and the diffuser 42 between the inflator 18 and a seatback frame
15 of the seatback 14 of vehicle seat 12.

[0069] More specifically, for example, two stud bolts 18B are provided to
the inflator 18 so as to extend towards the seat width direction inside.
The stud bolts 18B are passed through the diffuser 42, the inner cloth 26
and the seatback frame 15, and the inflator 18 is fixed together with the
side airbag 16 to the seatback frame 15 by fastening nuts (not shown in
the drawings) onto the stud bolts 18B.

[0070] The insertion hole 26A of the inflator 18 is provided at a location
in the inner cloth 26 overlapping with the diffuser 42. The location of
the insertion hole 26A in the inner cloth 26 is nipped together with the
diffuser 42 between the inflator 18 and the seatback frame 15. Gas can
accordingly be suppressed from flowing out through the insertion hole 26A
to outside of the side airbag 16 when the inflator 18 is actuated using
such a simple configuration.

[0071] While not illustrated in the drawings, the inflator 18 is connected
to an airbag ECU through a wiring harness, and is actuated by an
actuation current from the airbag ECU so as to supply inflation gas to
the side airbag 16. The airbag ECU is configured to make an actuation
current flow to the inflator 18 when a side-on collision is determined
from a signal from a collision sensor (not shown in the drawings).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the partitioning members 21, 22 are
provided between the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 and are each
configured from a single piece of cloth 46. The partitioning member 21 is
disposed at the boundary between the lower chamber 28 and the upper
chamber 32. The partitioning member 22 is disposed at the boundary
between the upper chamber 32 and the uppermost chamber 34. The
partitioning member 21 is accordingly disposed at the seat top side and
the partitioning member 22 is positioned at the seat bottom side.

[0073] The partitioning member 21 is provided with a partitioning wall 38,
the diffuser 42 and a non-return valve 44 integrated together. As shown
in FIG. 3, the partitioning wall 38 is positioned so as to partition
between the lower chamber 28 serving as a high pressure chamber and the
upper chamber 32 serving as a low pressure chamber.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the partitioning wall 38 in the
partitioning member 21 is positioned at a vehicle seat 12 seat front side
of the partitioning member 21. The partitioning wall 38 is formed by
folding a front region 46F of the single piece of cloth 46 in two (a
ridge fold) centered on a fold line 48 so as to project towards the upper
chamber 32 side (see FIG. 2), namely towards the seat top side. As shown
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the partitioning wall 38 is stitched to the inner
faces of the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 of the side airbag 16
along a peripheral edge portion 38C (stitched section S1).

[0075] The diffuser in the partitioning member 21 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2,
FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 is formed, for example, in a tube shape
projecting out towards the lower chamber 28 side. The diffuser includes a
first opening section 42A opening towards the lower chamber 28 side and a
second opening section 42B opening towards the upper chamber 32. The
diffuser 42 is accordingly rendered capable of mainly distributing gas
ejected from the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18 towards the
lower chamber 28 side, and also capable of distributing gas to the upper
chamber 32 side.

[0076] The diffuser 42 is positioned at a seat rear side of the
partitioning member 21, and is formed by folding to project towards the
seat front side, so as to extend further towards the high pressure
chamber side partitioned by the partitioning wall 38 than a height
position of the partitioning wall 38, namely towards the lower chamber 28
side (see FIG. 2). More specifically, the diffuser 42 is formed by
folding a rear section region 46R of the single piece of cloth 46 in two
(a valley fold) projecting towards the seat front side centered on a fold
line 52, and folding towards the seat bottom side with respect to the
front region 46F at the position of a fold line 54 positioned at the
boundary of the front region 46F.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the width of the rear section region 46R of the
single piece of cloth 46 is set larger than the width of the front region
46F. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of rear edges 42R of the
diffuser 42 interposed between the peripheral edge portion 24C and the
peripheral edge portion 26C at a position of a region where the
peripheral edge portion 24C of the outer cloth 24 and the peripheral edge
portion 26C of the inner cloth 26 overlap with each other in side view,
as shown in FIG. 8, and then stitched (the stitched section S3).

[0078] The non-return valve 44 is a location that permits gas ejected from
the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18 to flow through from the
upper chamber 32 side to the lower chamber 28 side (FIG. 4), but
restricts gas from flowing in the opposite direction (FIG. 5). The
non-return valve 44 is configured by the first opening section 42A, this
being an opening section on the lower chamber 28 side of the diffuser 42
that opens and closes according to the gas flow. In other words the
diffuser 42 is flexible, and doubles as the non-return valve 44 by
opening and closing of the first opening section 42A.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4, the non-return valve 44 (the first opening
section 42A of the diffuser 42) is configured to open when the inflator
18 is actuated, due to the pressure of gas ejected from the gas ejection
section 18A of the inflator 18. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the
non-return valve 44 (the first opening section 42A of the diffuser 42) is
configured to be closed by gas attempting to reverse flow from the high
pressure chamber lower chamber 28 side to the low pressure chamber upper
chamber 32 side when gas ejection from the inflator 18 has ended.

[0080] In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the structure of the partitioning member 22
positioned at the seat top side is substantially the same as the
structure of the partitioning member 21. More specifically, the
partitioning wall 58 of the partitioning member 22 is positioned to
partition between the uppermost chamber 34 serving as a high pressure
chamber and the upper chamber 32 serving as a low pressure chamber, and
corresponds to the partitioning wall 38 of the partitioning member 21. As
shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the partitioning wall 58 is stitched at a
peripheral edge portion 58C to the inner faces of the outer cloth 24 and
the inner cloth 26 of the side airbag 16 (stitched section S2).

[0081] As shown in FIG. 2, a diffuser 62 of the partitioning member 22
corresponds to the diffuser 42 of the partitioning member 21. A pair of
rear edges 62R of the diffuser 62 are interposed between the peripheral
edge portion 24C of the outer cloth 24 and the peripheral edge portion
26C of the inner cloth 26 and then stitched (stitched section S3). The
diffuser 62 is thereby formed projecting out towards the uppermost
chamber 34 side, for example in a tube shape. The diffuser 62 has a first
opening section 62A opening on the uppermost chamber 34 side and a second
opening section 6213 opening towards the upper chamber 32. The diffuser
62 is thereby capable of distributing gas supplied from the inflator 18
into the upper chamber 32 through the second opening section 62B and
onwards through the first opening section 62A into the uppermost chamber
34.

[0082] A non-return valve 64 of the partitioning member 22 is positioned
to permit gas inside the upper chamber 32 to flow to the uppermost
chamber 34 side and to restrict gas from flowing in the reverse
direction, and corresponds to the non-return valve 44 of the partitioning
member 21. The non-return valve 64 opens and closes according to the gas
flow, and is configured by the first opening section 62A that is an
opening section on the uppermost chamber 34 side of the diffuser 62.

[0083] Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, unlike the diffuser 42 of the
partitioning member 21, the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18
is not disposed inside the diffuser 62 of the partitioning member 22, and
the diffuser 62 is not located to directly restrict flow of gas ejected
from the gas ejection section 18A. The main function of the diffuser 62
is accordingly to restrict the reverse flow of gas from the uppermost
chamber 34 side to the upper chamber 32 side using the non-return valve
64 that doubles as the first opening section 62A.

[0084] Operation

[0085] Explanation follows regarding the operation of the present
exemplary embodiment configured as described above. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3,
the vehicle side airbag device 10 of the present exemplary embodiment
includes the side airbag 16 configured in a bag shape by the outer cloth
24 and the inner cloth 26. The side airbag 16 includes the lower chamber
28 and the uppermost chamber 34 configuring the high pressure side during
inflation and deployment, and the upper chamber 32 that is at a lower
pressure than the lower chamber 28 and the uppermost chamber 34. The
lower chamber 28 and the upper chamber 32 are partitioned from each other
by the partitioning wall 38 of the partitioning member 21 provided
between the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26. The upper chamber 32
and the uppermost chamber 34 are similarly partitioned from each other by
the partitioning wall 58 of the partitioning member 22 provided between
the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26.

[0086] The partitioning wall 38, the diffuser 42 and the non-return valve
44 in the partitioning member 21 are formed by folding the single piece
of cloth 46. The pair of rear edges 42R of the diffuser 42 are interposed
between the peripheral edge portion 24C of the outer cloth 24 and the
peripheral edge portion 26C of the inner cloth 26 and then stitched, and
the diffuser 42 is configured in a tube shape by the single piece of
cloth 46 configuring the partitioning member 21 alone.

[0087] The partitioning wall 58, the diffuser 62 and the non-return valve
64 in the partitioning member 22 are also formed by folding a single
piece of cloth (not shown in the drawings). The pair of rear edges 62R of
the diffuser 62 are interposed between the peripheral edge portion 24C of
the outer cloth 24 and the peripheral edge portion 26C of the inner cloth
26 and then stitched, such that the diffuser 62 is configured in a tube
shape by the single piece of cloth (not shown in the drawings)
configuring the partitioning member 22 alone.

[0088] Hence in the present exemplary embodiment, for a side airbag 16
with plural internal partitioned chambers, the number of locations for
stitching when manufacturing the side airbag 16 can be reduced, the
length of stitching can be shortened, and configuration simplified,
thereby enabling the manufacturing cost of the side airbag 16 to be
reduced.

[0089] The non-return valve 44 which retains the internal pressure of the
lower chamber 28 is provided in a part region of the partitioning member
21, and so the cost required for stitching the side airbag 16 can be
reduced in comparison to a structure provided with a separate non-return
valve. A more compact and lighter package can also be achieved for the
folded side airbag 16.

[0090] Explanation follows regarding operation of the vehicle side airbag
device 10 during a side-on collision. When the airbag ECU determines that
a side-on collision has occurred based on a signal from the collision
sensor (not shown in the drawings), an actuation current is caused to
flow from the airbag ECU to the inflator 18. The inflator 18 actuates on
receipt of the actuation current and a great volume of gas is ejected
from the gas ejection section 18A.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the inflation gas is mainly
distributed through the first opening section 42A of the diffuser 42 to
the lower chamber 28 of the side airbag 16 (the arrow A direction) and is
also distributed through the second opening section 42B to the upper
chamber 32 (the arrow B direction). The gas distributed to the upper
chamber 32 is distributed onwards to the uppermost chamber 34 through the
second opening section 62B and the first opening section 62A of the
diffuser 62 (the arrow C direction). The side airbag 16 bulges out from
the side section of the seatback 14, and inflates and deploys between the
vehicle side section (not shown in the drawings) and the occupant 36.

[0092] Specifically, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, during actuation of the
inflator 18, the non-return valve 44 (the first opening section 42A of
the diffuser 42) in the partitioning member 21 opens due to the pressure
of gas ejected from the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18. In
FIG. 2, the non-return valve 64 in the partitioning member 22 (the first
opening section 62A of the diffuser 62) also opens due to the pressure of
gas supplied into the upper chamber 32. Gas is thereby permitted to flow
into the lower chamber 28, the upper chamber 32 and the uppermost chamber
34.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 5, when ejection of gas from the inflator 18 has
ended, and gas attempts to flow in reverse from the high pressure chamber
lower chamber 28 side to the low pressure chamber upper chamber 32 side,
such a reverse flow of gas is restricted by the non-return valve 44 of
the partitioning member 21 closing. The internal pressure of the lower
chamber 28 can thereby be maintained for a longer duration. Furthermore,
even if gas attempts to flow in reverse from the high pressure chamber
uppermost chamber 34 side to the low pressure chamber upper chamber 32
side, such a reverse flow of gas is restricted by the non-return valve 64
of the partitioning member 22 closing. The internal pressure of the
uppermost chamber 34 can thereby be maintained for a longer duration.

[0094] During inflation and deployment of the side airbag 16 the lower
chamber 28 and the uppermost chamber 34 are at a higher pressure than the
upper chamber 32. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the waist region 36W of
the occupant 36 seated in the vehicle seat 12 can be restrained by the
comparatively high pressure lower chamber 28, and the shoulder region 36S
of the occupant 36 can be similarly restrained by the comparatively high
pressure uppermost chamber 34. The chest region 36C and the abdominal
region 36A of the occupant 36 can be restrained by the comparatively low
pressure upper chamber 32. The occupant restraining performance during a
side-on collision can be raised due to being able to maintain the
internal pressure of the lower chamber 28 and the uppermost chamber 34 by
employing the non-return valve 44 and the non-return valve 64. The upper
chamber 32 is not only aligned with the chest region 36C of the occupant
36 but also with the abdominal region 36A.

[0095] Consequently, according to the vehicle side airbag device 10, each
region of the upper body of the occupant 36 can respectively be
restrained at an appropriate timing and with an appropriate restraining
force for each region, by the side airbag 16 that inflates and deploys
between the vehicle side section (not shown in the drawings) and the
occupant 36 during a side-on collision.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0096] In a vehicle side airbag device 20 according to the present
exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, in the inflated and deployed
state of the side airbag 16, a high pressure chamber is a lower chamber
28 aligned with the waist region 36W (see FIG. 1) of an occupant 36, and
a low pressure chamber is an upper chamber 32 aligned with at least one
of the chest region 36C or the shoulder region 36S of the occupant 36. In
the present exemplary embodiment the upper chamber 32 is aligned with
both the chest region 36C and the shoulder region 36S of the occupant 36.

[0097] A partitioning member 31 is provided between the outer cloth 24 and
the inner cloth 26. The partitioning member 31 is configured by a single
piece of cloth 66, and is positioned at the boundary between the lower
chamber 28 and the upper chamber 32. The partitioning member 31 is
provided with a partitioning wall 68, a diffuser 72 and a non-return
valve 74 that are integrated together.

[0098] The partitioning wall 68 is positioned to partition between the
high pressure chamber lower chamber 28 and the low pressure chamber upper
chamber 32, positioned at the seat front side of the partitioning member
31. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate the partitioning wall 68 formed by
folding a front region 66F of the single piece of cloth 66 in two (a
ridge fold) centered on a fold line 78 to as to project up towards the
upper chamber 32 side (see FIG. 9), namely towards the seat top side. The
partitioning wall 68 is stitched to the inner faces of the outer cloth 24
and the inner cloth 26 of the side airbag 16 at a peripheral edge portion
68C (stitched section S1).

[0099] In FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, the diffuser 72 in the partitioning member 31
is formed for example in a tube shape so as to project out towards the
lower chamber 28 side. The diffuser 72 includes a first opening section
72A opening towards the lower chamber 28 side and a second opening
section 72B opening towards the upper chamber 32. The diffuser 72 is
accordingly capable of distributing gas ejected from the gas ejection
section 18A of the inflator 18 mainly towards the lower chamber 28 side
and also distributing gas towards the upper chamber 32.

[0100] The diffuser 72 is positioned at the seat rear side of the
partitioning member 31 and is formed by folding to project towards the
seat front side, so as to extends further towards the high pressure
chamber side partitioned by the partitioning wall 68 than the height
position of the partitioning wall 68, namely towards the lower chamber 28
side. More specifically, the diffuser 72 is formed by folding a rear
section region 66R of the single piece of cloth 66 in two (a valley fold)
so as to project towards the seat front side centered on a fold line 80,
and by folding towards the seat bottom side with respect to the front
region 66F at the position of a fold line 82 positioned at the boundary
of the front region 66F and the rear region 66R.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 10, the width of the rear section region 66R of
the single piece of cloth 66 is for example equivalent to the width of
the front region 66F. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, a rear end 72T
positioned on the vehicle width direction outside of the diffuser 72 and
a rear end 72N positioned on the vehicle width direction inside of the
diffuser 72 do not reach the position of the peripheral edge portion 24C
of the outer cloth 24 and the position of the peripheral edge portion 26C
of the inner cloth 26 in side view. The rear end 72T positioned at the
vehicle width direction outside of the diffuser 72 is accordingly
stitched to a side portion of the outer cloth 24 (stitched section S1).
The rear end 72N positioned at the vehicle width direction inside of the
diffuser 72 is accordingly stitched to a side portion of the inner cloth
26 (stitched section S1). Due to the above configuration, the stitching
of the partitioning member 31 to the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth
26 can accordingly be performed all at once with the stitched section S1.

[0102] In the present exemplary embodiment, a region in the outer cloth 24
and the inner cloth 26 to the seat rear side of the side portion where
the stitched section S1 is positioned also configures a portion of the
diffuser 72. Therefore the region where the rear section region 66R of
the single piece of cloth 66 configuring the diffuser 72 and the outer
cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 overlap with each other can be reduced,
leading to a reduction in weight of the side airbag 16 and a smaller
folded dimension (package dimension) of the side airbag 16.

[0103] In FIG. 9, the non-return valve 74 is positioned to permit the flow
of gas ejected from the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18 from
the upper chamber 32 towards the lower chamber 28 in the arrow A
direction, and to restrict the flow of gas in the reverse direction. The
non-return valve 74 configures the first opening section 72A as an
opening section on the lower chamber 28 side of the diffuser 72 by
opening and closing according to the flow of gas. In other words, the
diffuser 72 is flexible, and is configured to also serve as the
non-return valve 74 by the first opening section 72A opening and closing.

[0104] The non-return valve 74 (the first opening section 72A of the
diffuser 72) is configured so as to open with the pressure of gas ejected
from the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18 when the inflator 18
is actuated. The non-return valve 74 (the first opening section 72A of
the diffuser 72) is configured so as to close when gas ejection from the
inflator 18 has ended by gas from the high pressure chamber lower chamber
28 side attempting to flow in reverse to the low pressure chamber upper
chamber 32 side.

[0105] More specifically, the non-return valve 74 is configured by a
bottom edge portion 72D of the diffuser 72 and a rear side inner face 16R
of the side airbag 16. The non-return valve 74 opens when the bottom edge
portion 72D separates from the rear side inner face 16R, and closes when
the bottom edge portion 72D makes contact with the rear side inner face
16R. In FIG. 12 the vicinity of the stitched section S3 as viewed from
the bag inside is the rear side inner face 16R of the side airbag 16.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 12, a length L1 along the cross-sectional profile
of the non-return valve 74 from the stitched section S1 on the vehicle
width direction outside as far as the stitched section 51 on the vehicle
width direction inside, is set so as to be longer than a length L2 along
the cross-sectional profile of the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26
from the stitched section S1 on the vehicle width direction outside, via
the rear side inner face 16R of the side airbag 16, as fax as the
stitched section S1 on the vehicle width direction outside.

[0107] Accordingly, when gas is ejected from the inflator 18, the bottom
edge portion 72D of the diffuser 72 separates from the rear side inner
face 16R of the side airbag 16 due to the gas pressure, so as to open the
non-return valve 74. Gas is accordingly permitted to flow from the upper
chamber 32 side towards the lower chamber 28 side (the arrow A
direction). The gas ejected from the inflator 18 is thereby also
distributed to the upper chamber 32 through the second opening section
7213 of the diffuser 72 (the arrow B direction).

[0108] However when gas ejection from the inflator 18 has ended and gas
attempts to flow in reverse from the high pressure chamber lower chamber
28 side to the low pressure chamber upper chamber 32 side, the bottom
edge portion 72D of the diffuser 72 makes close contact with the rear
side inner face 16R of the side airbag 16, so as to close the non-return
valve 74. Reverse flow of gas can accordingly be restricted.

[0109] Other portions are similar to those of the first exemplary
embodiment, and similar portions are accordingly allocated the same
reference numerals in the drawings and further explanation is omitted
thereof.

Modified Examples

[0110] In FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, in a partitioning member 31 according to a
modified example, a partitioning wall 68 is formed by folding a front
region 66F of a single piece of cloth 66 in two (a valley fold) in the
arrow D directions centered on a fold line 78, so as to protrude towards
the lower chamber 28 side (FIG. 9), namely towards the seat bottom side.
A diffuser 72 of the partitioning member 31 is also formed by folding a
rear region 66R of the single piece of cloth 66 in two (a valley fold in
the arrow E directions) projecting towards the seat front side centered
on a fold line 80, and also folding so as to form a protrusion towards
the seat top side at the position of a fold line 84 and a protrusion
towards the seat front side at the position of a fold line 86, and also
folding in the arrow F direction so as to form a protrusion towards the
seat bottom side at the position of a fold line 82.

[0111] Consequently, the partitioning member 31 can be integrally formed
together with the partitioning wall 68, the diffuser 72 and the
non-return valve 74 not only when the partitioning wall 68 is formed in a
protrusion towards the seat top side, as shown in FIG. 11, but also when
the partitioning wall 68 is formed in a protrusion towards the seat
bottom side, as shown in FIG. 15.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

[0112] As shown in FIG. 16, a vehicle side airbag device 30 according to
the present exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary
embodiment in the structure of the partitioning members 21, 22.
Explanation follows employing the partitioning member 21 as an example.

[0113] The partitioning member 21 is positioned at the boundary between
the lower chamber 28 and the upper chamber 32, and is configured by a
single piece of cloth 76. As shown in FIG. 17, the single piece of cloth
76 includes a base region 76F configuring a partitioning wall 38, and a
projecting region 76R configuring a diffuser 42 that projects out to the
seat width direction inside at a rear edge of the single piece of cloth
76. The single piece of cloth 76 is accordingly formed with a
substantially L-shape when in the deployed state.

[0114] In FIG. 18, the partitioning wall 38 of the partitioning member 21
is formed by folding the base region 76F of the single piece of cloth 76
in two (a ridge fold) along an arrow G direction centered on a fold line
48, so as to project out towards the upper chamber 32 side (FIG. 16),
namely towards the seat top side. The partitioning wall 38 is stitched at
a peripheral edge portion 38C to the inner faces of an outer cloth 24 and
an inner cloth 26 of the side airbag 16 (stitched section S1).

[0115] The diffuser 42 in the partitioning member 21 is formed with the
partitioning wall 38 folded as described above, and the projecting region
76R is formed to give a state extending further to the lower chamber 28
(FIG. 16) side than the partitioning wall 38. As shown in FIG. 19 and
FIG. 21, a front edge 42F of the diffuser 42 is stitched to the inner
face of the inner cloth 26 (stitched section S1). Furthermore, the rear
edge 38R of the partitioning wall 38 and 42R of the diffuser 42 are
interposed between a peripheral edge portion 24C of the outer cloth 24
and a peripheral edge portion 26C of the inner cloth 26 and then stitched
(stitched section S3).

[0116] In the present exemplary embodiment the diffuser 42 is configured
such that not only the projecting region 76R of the single piece of cloth
76, but also a region of the inner cloth 26 facing towards the projecting
region 76R, configures a portion of the diffuser 42. In other words, a
gas flow path is formed through to the lower chamber 28 and the upper
chamber 32 by the projecting region 76R of the single piece of cloth 76
and the region of the inner cloth 26 facing towards the projecting region
76R. Therefore the region where the projecting region 76R of the single
piece of cloth 76 configuring the diffuser 42 overlaps with the inner
cloth 26 is reduced, and not only can the weight of the side airbag 16 be
reduced, but the folded dimension (the package dimension) of the side
airbag 16 can also be made smaller.

[0117] In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, a non-return valve 44 of the partitioning
member 21 is configured by a lower edge portion 42D of the diffuser 42
and the inner face of the inner cloth 26. The non-return valve 44 opens
when the lower edge portion 42D separates from the inner face of the
inner cloth 26 and closes when the lower edge portion 42D makes contact
with the inner face.

[0118] A length W1 along the lower edge portion 42D from the stitched
section S1 at the front edge 42F of the diffuser 42 as far as the
stitched section S3 at the rear edge 42R of the diffuser 42 is set longer
than a seat front-rear direction distance W2 between the stitched section
S1 and the stitched section S3. Slack required for the non-return valve
44 to open and close can thereby be set in the lower edge portion 42D of
the diffuser 42.

[0119] Therefore, as shown by the double-dashed intermittent lines in FIG.
19 and FIG. 20, the non-return valve 44 is configured to open by the
lower edge portion 42D of the diffuser 42 separating from the inner face
of the inner cloth 26 due to the pressure of gas when gas is ejected from
the gas ejection section 18A of the inflator 18.

[0120] However, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, when
ejection of gas from the inflator 18 has ended and gas attempts to flow
back from the high pressure chamber lower chamber 28 side to the low
pressure chamber upper chamber 32 side, the non-return valve 44 closes by
the lower edge portion 42D of the diffuser 42 making close contact with
the inner face of the inner cloth 26.

[0121] In FIG. 21, the inflator 18 is inserted through the insertion hole
26A provided in the inner cloth 26 into the diffuser 42 inside the side
airbag 16, namely inserted between the portion of the partitioning member
21 corresponding to the diffuser 42 and the inner cloth 26 itself. The
inflator 18 is fixed to the seatback frame 15, and a seal cloth 88 and
the location of the insertion hole 26A in the inner cloth 26 are nipped
between the inflator 18 and the seatback frame 15. In the present
exemplary embodiment, the seal cloth 88 is provided to raise the
suppressing effect on gas outflow to outside the side airbag 16 since,
unlike in the first exemplary embodiment (FIG. 8), there is no cloth of
the diffuser 42 present between the inflator 18 and the seatback frame
15. Note that configuration may also be made without providing the seal
cloth 88.

[0122] Other portions are similar to those of the first exemplary
embodiment, and similar portions are accordingly allocated the same
reference numerals in the drawings and further explanation is omitted
thereof.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0123]FIG. 22 shows a vehicle side airbag device 40 according to the
present exemplary embodiment, configured with a partitioning member 21
partitioning between a lower chamber 28 and a upper chamber 32 inside the
side airbag 16, configured by two cloths 90, 92 (FIG. 23) that have been
joined together in advance. As shown in FIG. 23, the cloth 90 is a member
positioned at the vehicle width direction outside, and the cloth 92 is a
member positioned at the vehicle width direction inside.

[0124] The cloths 90, 92 include base regions 90F, 92F configuring a
partitioning wall 38 of the partitioning member 21 and projecting regions
90R, 92R that project out to the lower chamber 28 side at the rear ends
of the base regions 90F, 92F and configure a diffuser 42 of the
partitioning member 21. The cloths 90, 92 are accordingly respectively
formed with the same profile as each other, substantially L-shapes in
side view. The cloths 90, 92 are joined together in advance by stitching
(stitched section S4) the bottom edges of the base regions 90F, 92F and
the front edges of the projecting regions 90R, 92R together prior to
stitching to the side airbag 16.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 22, the diffuser 42 of the partitioning member 21
is interposed between the peripheral edge portions 24C, 26C and stitched
(stitched section S3). As shown in FIG. 24, the partitioning wall 38 of
the partitioning member 21 is stitched at the peripheral edge portion 38C
to the inner faces of the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 of the
side airbag 16 (stitched section S1).

[0126] As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the
partitioning member 21 is configured by the two pieces of cloth 90, 92
that have been integrated together in advance, and the partitioning wall
38, the diffuser 42 and the non-return valve 44 are provided to the
partitioning member 21. Hence configuration can be simplified and a
reduction in cost can also be achieved for the side airbag 16 with an
interior partitioned into plural chambers.

[0127] Other portions are similar to those of the first exemplary
embodiment, and similar portions are accordingly allocated the same
reference numerals in the drawings and further explanation is omitted
thereof.

Modified Example

[0128] In FIG. 25 a partitioning member 21 according to a modified example
is configured employing a single piece of cloth 94 formed with left-right
symmetry in a substantially V-shape. More specifically, the single piece
of cloth 94 is folded into two (a ridge fold or a valley fold) along a
fold line 96, and the single piece of cloth 94 is configured integrally
formed with a partitioning wall 38 and diffuser 42 by stitching together
at a stitched section S4. The profile of the partitioning member 21 in
side view is substantially the same as the profile of the partitioning
member 21 shown in FIG. 22, however the modified example differs from the
partitioning member 21 shown in FIG. 22 in that a portion surrounded by
the stitched section S4 shown in FIG. 25 remains. Note that configuration
may also be made with the portion surrounded by the stitched section S4
removed as appropriate. By removing portions not required of the
partitioning member 21 the folded dimension of the side airbag 16 (the
package dimension) can be made smaller.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

[0129] In a vehicle side airbag device 50 according to the present
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, a partitioning member
23 is configured with for example three pieces of cloth 102, 104, 106
that have been integrated together in advance. The cloth 102 configures a
lower side partitioning wall 38 that partitions between a lower chamber
28 and an upper chamber 32. The cloth 104 configures an upper side
partitioning wall 58 that partitions between an upper chamber 32 and an
uppermost chamber 34. The cloth 106 configures a diffuser 100.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 27, the seat rear end direction portion of the
cloth 104 configuring the upper side partitioning wall 58 is stitched to
a top portion of the cloth 106. More specifically, a peripheral edge
portion 58C on the vehicle width direction inside at the seat rear
direction end portion of the partitioning wall 58, is stitched to the top
portion of the cloth 106 configuring the diffuser 100 (stitched section
S5). The seat rear direction end portion of the cloth 102 configuring the
lower side partitioning wall 38 is stitched to a bottom portion of the
cloth 106. More specifically, a peripheral edge portion 38C on the
vehicle width direction inside at the seat rear direction end portion of
the partitioning wall 38 is stitched to a bottom portion of the cloth 106
(stitched section S6).

[0131] The partitioning member 23 configured by the three pieces of cloth
102, 104, 106 that have been integrated together in advance is then, for
example, stitched to the outer cloth 24 and the inner cloth 26 of the
side airbag 16.

[0132] First a top portion of a front edge 100F of the diffuser 100 is
stitched to the inner cloth 26 and the peripheral edge portion 58C of the
partitioning wall 58 is stitched to the inner cloth 26 and the outer
cloth 24 (stitched section S2). The stitching at the stitched section S2
can be performed continuously along the arrow H direction. The top
portion of the front edge 100F of the diffuser 100 refers to the portion
from the height position of the stitched section S5 to the top edge of
the front edge 100F.

[0133] Then a bottom portion of the front edge 100F of the diffuser 100 is
stitched to the inner cloth 26 and a peripheral edge portion 38C of the
partitioning wall 38 is stitched to the inner cloth 26 and the outer
cloth 24 (stitched section S1). The stitching at the stitched section S1
can be performed continuously along the arrow I direction. The bottom
portion of the front edge 100F of the diffuser 100 refers to the portion
from the height position of the stitched section S6 to the bottom edge of
the front edge 100F.

[0134] The portion of the front edge 100F of the diffuser 100 positioned
between the partitioning walls 38, 58 is also stitched to the inner cloth
26, however stitching is partially omitted in order to provide a third
opening section 100C opening to the upper chamber 32 (stitched section
S7).

[0135] By stitching the partitioning member 23 to the outer cloth 24 and
the inner cloth 26 as described above, the diffuser 100 is formed with a
first opening section 100A opening to the lower chamber 28, a second
opening section 100B opening to the uppermost chamber 34 and the third
opening section 100C opening to the upper chamber 32. As shown in FIG.
26, the inflation gas when the inflator 18 is actuated is distributed
through the first opening section 100A of the diffuser 100 to the lower
chamber 28 of the side airbag 16 (arrow A direction), is also distributed
through the second opening section 100B to the uppermost chamber 34
(arrow C direction), and is also distributed through the third opening
section 100C to the upper chamber 32 (arrow B direction).

[0136] The amount of gas supplied to each of the chambers can be
controlled by the ratio of opening surface areas for each opening
portion, and the size of the third opening section 100C can be set by the
length of the stitched section S7. The length of the stitched section S7
is appropriately set according to the distribution proportions for gas to
be supplied to the lower chamber 28, the upper chamber 32 and the
uppermost chamber 34, and is not limited to the example illustrated.

[0137] When the length from the partitioning wall 58 to the top edge of
the diffuser 100 (a non-return valve 64) and the length from the
partitioning wall 38 to the bottom edge of the diffuser 100 (a non-return
valve 44) is reduced, the resistance to passage of gas is reduced, and a
greater proportion of gas can be distributed to the lower chamber 28 and
the uppermost chamber 34. In such cases, supply of gas to the low
pressure chamber upper chamber 32 can be suppressed even if the opening
surface area of the third opening section 100C is large, and so the
stitched section S7 can be omitted, and the number of processes for
manufacturing the side airbag 16 can be reduced.

[0138] The supply of gas to the upper chamber 32 can be suppressed by
making the separation intervals between the partitioning walls 38, 58
narrower in side view with respect to the opening width of the first
opening section 100A and the second opening section 100E of the diffuser
100. The length of the stitched section S7 can accordingly be made
shorter, or the stitched section S7 can be omitted altogether.

[0139] The rear edges 38R, 58R of the partitioning wall 38 and the
partitioning wall 58 and the rear edge 100R of the diffuser 100 are
respectively folded in two (a ridge fold and valley fold), placed in a
state interposed between the outer cloth 24 and the peripheral edge
portions 24C, 26C of the inner cloth 26 and then stitched (stitched
section S3). When this is performed, the partitioning wall 38 is folded
to project towards the seat top side centered on a fold line 108, and the
partitioning wall 58 is folded to project towards the seat bottom side
centered on a fold line 110 (see FIG. 26).

[0140] Other portions are similar to those of the first exemplary
embodiment, and similar portions are accordingly allocated the same
reference numerals in the drawings and further explanation is omitted
thereof.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

[0141] Note whereas in the first exemplary embodiment, the third exemplary
embodiment and the fifth exemplary embodiment, the side airbag 16 has a
three chamber structure, there is no limitation thereto and configuration
may be made with a two chamber structure. Whereas in the second exemplary
embodiment and the fourth exemplary embodiment the side airbag 16 has a
two chamber structure there is no limitation thereto and configuration
may be made with a three chamber structure.

[0142] The vehicle side airbag devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 according to the
respective exemplary embodiments are not limited to airbag devices
installed in the vehicle seat 12, and they may, for example, be installed
inside a trim in a vehicle side section.